Originally published in MICARS’ website, Anna Cecilia Alejo writes about the school’s Lunch for a Cause – “Un Dia Perfecto para Comida Espanola!” – that truly gave everyone a genuine taste of Spain.
El Hogar de la Buena Comida: MICARS had a Spanish Feast fit for a Queen
Spain has produced one of the wittiest and perhaps wisest literary figures of all time, Don Quixote de la Mancha of Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. From him, we heard this rich paradox: The truth may be stretched thin, but it never breaks, and it always surfaces above lies, as oil floats on water.
Just as Don Quixote presents a strong character, the variety and colors of the Spanish cuisine are as distinct, intense and vibrant as this famous figure. It was only quite fitting that Un Dia Perfecto para Comida Espanola! Is the chosen theme for this March 2016 lunch-for-a-cause.
For close to three years now, MICARS has organized biannual fundraising projects called lunch-for-a-cause in March and October for the scholarships of its trainees who are taking up the two-year course on Culinary Arts and Institutional Services. Varied themes of these lunches in the past included Asian, Hawaiian, Mediterranean, Filipino, and Continental, to name a few.
On March 25, 2017 was also different not just in its chosen cuisine but also for its featured guest chefs who happened to be the Singian siblings namely Marilou and Philip of La Casita Restaurant fame. Their mother, Charito, is a long-time Patron of MICARS and another connoisseur of Spanish delicacy.
The whole event was further enlivened by playing of live Spanish music from virtuosos who gave their free performance as their contribution to the fundraising. They were Mary Martha Arquero (violin), Jason Matthew Tung (acoustic piano) and Lu Yujuico (piano).
I once heard it said that “the best of Cervantes is untranslatable, and this undeniable fact is in itself an incentive [for one and all] to learn Spanish” I must say I’m glad it’s not the same thing with enjoying the Spanish cuisine. For with its rich color, aroma and taste, one does not need a smattering of Spanish to enjoy it. And quoting further Don Quixote, Hunger is the best sauce in the world and Cervantes’ The proof of the pudding is the eating were literally true during this lunch-for-a-cause. And the important cause that our more than 120 guests supported on that day doubled their satisfaction.
¡Viva, las mujeres valientes!